Parking sensors, towbars and wiring looms!

nicktfarrow replied on 24/02/2020 11:35

nicktfarrow

Posted on 24/02/2020 11:35

Hi,

I have just purchased a mondeo mk5 17 reg and it need to get a towbar fitted and am not sure about the rear parking sensors and them being affected by just having a presence of a swan neck towbar (when not towing).

Indespension recommend a detachable towbar as the solution, but I dont really want to pay the extra £170 it costs as I would leave it attached all the time. They cannot guarantee that a static swan neck would not cause issues for the sensors. The local ford dealer reckons they can 'program out' the effect of the towbar from the rear sensors for £120, if its wired up with the correct 'module' (no idea what this is).

The other issue is the 'vehicle specific wiring' that is on offer for another £150 extra. I get the impression its nice to have but not really that vital but am not sure.

So I'm tempted to take a punt and go for the static swan neck with a non specific wiring for £300 rather then the detachable with vehicle specific wiring for £600 and hope ford can deal with any parkng sensor issues!!

Any advice or thoughts really appreciated!

nick

33 replies

EmilysDad replied on 24/02/2020 19:27

Member

EmilysDad

Caravanner

Posted on 24/02/2020 19:22 by

I would always prefer fixed MM. Not bothered about pretty

Posted on 24/02/2020 19:27

I never thought anything otherwise 🙄 ...... and you don't have a saloon .

davetommo replied on 24/02/2020 19:51

Member

davetommo

Motorhomer from Lancashire

Posted on 24/02/2020 19:13 by EmilysDad

The point is that towbars look cr4p when on the back of a car ... more so on a saloon than on a LR when the receiver is still on show when the bar is removed.

How much 'messing about' is removing a bar anyway? It takes seconds.

Posted on 24/02/2020 19:51

never removed one, I did once try after it had been there for 3 years but couldn’t turn the key. I don’t think they look that bad and they can sometimes be something to fight back with as I am guessing you know.

replied on 24/02/2020 19:51

Posted on 24/02/2020 19:27 by EmilysDad

I never thought anything otherwise 🙄 ...... and you don't have a saloon .

Posted on 24/02/2020 19:51

I have had saloons however, hatchbacks and estate car

Phishing replied on 24/02/2020 19:54

Member

Phishing

Caravanner from Merseyside

Posted on 24/02/2020 19:54

Fixed swan neck on the Mondeo should not trouble the sensors.

Use dedicated wiring as this is a better install and does not require intrusion into the loom. Both methods of wiring will work but you will get better job with dedicated wiring.

Note that on the vehicle you are looking at it will have to be coded in the BCM (Body Control Module), this will cost £80 at a dealers so make sure the towbar fitter can code the BCM.

Your friendly Ford dealer is charging you £120 for 2 minutes work, find a towbar company who can code the vehicle for you as part of the price, a decent fitting company should have a diagnostic unit to allow them to fit it and code it.

EmilysDad replied on 24/02/2020 21:23

Member

EmilysDad

Caravanner

Posted on 24/02/2020 19:51 by davetommo

never removed one, I did once try after it had been there for 3 years but couldn’t turn the key. I don’t think they look that bad and they can sometimes be something to fight back with as I am guessing you know.

Posted on 24/02/2020 21:23

no wonder you struggled if it'd been on there 3 years 😏

IMHO they look cr4p hence my previous 2 cars had detachables & this has an electrically retractable

nicktfarrow replied on 25/02/2020 09:35

Member

nicktfarrow

Posted on 25/02/2020 09:35

Thanks you all for your range of views and ideas! A thumbs up for the vehicle specific wiring and a mix of views for detachable or not!

2 people like this

davetommo replied on 25/02/2020 18:01

Member

davetommo

Motorhomer from Lancashire

Posted on 24/02/2020 21:23 by EmilysDad

no wonder you struggled if it'd been on there 3 years 😏

IMHO they look cr4p hence my previous 2 cars had detachables & this has an electrically retractable

Posted on 25/02/2020 18:01

Was to lazy to take it off. That is why I have just changed to an automatic car, I am to bone idle to change gear.

1 person likes this

EmilysDad replied on 25/02/2020 23:04

Member

EmilysDad

Caravanner

Posted on 25/02/2020 18:01 by davetommo

Was to lazy to take it off. That is why I have just changed to an automatic car, I am to bone idle to change gear.

Posted on 25/02/2020 23:04

I'm with you re the auto ..... 2 feet ... 2 pedals 😀

bandgirl replied on 25/02/2020 23:05

Member

bandgirl

Caravanner from East Sussex

Posted on 24/02/2020 19:10 by Oscarmax

We have a 2017 Ford Kuga with factory parking sensors, we have an old fashion fix towbar with a AL-KO towball, 13 pin electrics works perfectly with our Swift LED lights etc absolutely no problems, no mods.

Posted on 25/02/2020 23:05

Same here. 2014 Ford Kuga with a fixed tow ball, and no problems at all with rear parking sensors or caravan lights.

lornalou1 replied on 25/02/2020 23:22

lornalou1

Caravanner from Lancashire

Posted on 25/02/2020 23:04 by EmilysDad

I'm with you re the auto ..... 2 feet ... 2 pedals 😀

Posted on 25/02/2020 23:22

only need one foot for an auto.

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